Means for heating the crank cases of engines



Feb. 18, 1930. c, HAZE 1,747,772

MEANS FOR HEATING THE CRANK CASES OF ENGINES Filed A rii 13, 1925Patented Feb. 18, 193% CORNIE N. HAZE, 0F SHELDON, IOWA MEAN$ FOBHEATING THE CRANK CASES OF ENGINES Application filed April 13, 1925.Serial No. 22,701.

10 Considerable difficulty has been experienced by automobilists in thecolder climates, and particularly during the winter months, in thestarting of automobiles, as well as in obtaining the greatest efficiencyin the operation thereof, due largely to the chilling of the oil in theengine crank cases and the incident defective circulation of the oil andlubrication of the engine bearings, etc.; and it is the primary objectof the present invention to overcome these disadvantages in a novel andimproved manner, whereby the oil may be maintained at a propertemperature, and in a manner so as not to interfere with the utilization of the exhaust gases for heating purposes in addition to that ofheating the crank case of an engine or the like. It is also an object toprovide associated means whereby the heating mechanism for the crankcase may be rendered inoperative, at will, without rendering inactivethe use of the said exhaust gases for other heating purposes.

More particularly, the invention includes heating means coupled with amain exhaust pipe connecting with the exhaust manifold of an engine, thesaid means being adapted to project through the crank case in a mannerwhereby to obtain. the greatest efficiency in heating, and suitablevalve mechanism being employed whereby to regulate the discharge of theexhaust gases either through the main exhaust pipe or through theheating means passing through the crank case, together with associatedcar heating means having connections with the main exhaust pipe wherebythe exhaust gases may be utilized for heating the car body regardless ofwhether or not the heating means for the crank case is in use.

Other improvements and novel details in the construction and arrangementof parts will be appreciated from the following description, which foran understanding of the invention is to be considered in connection withthe accompanying drawing forming a part hereof and wherein is disclosedfor the purpose of illustration a convenient and satisfactory embodimentof my invention.

In the drawings,

Figure l is an elevation of a motor or engine crank casing andassociated parts, with my improvements applied, parts being broken away;and

Figures 2, 3, and 4, are detail views enlarged, partly in section,disclosing more particularly the valve-controlled conduits constitutinga part of my improvements.

With more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like referencenumerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several figures, 1designates an exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine, and 2 acrank case of any of the approved types, the lower portion of whichforms an oil chamber or receptacle, and the bottom of the crank casebeing preferably curved as indicated at 3.

A main exhaust pipe 4; preferably extends longitudinally of the crankcase along one side thereof, said main supply pipe being adapted toconnect in any desired manner with a car heating member diagrammaticallyillustrated at 5 and of any of the approved types wherein the exhaust isused as a heating medium for the car. Since this particular car heatingmember, per se, constitutes no part of the present invention, it is notnecessary to illustrate or describe the same in detail, it beingunderstood that the exhaust gases after leaving the heater 5 are adaptedto discharge to the outside in the usual manner.

The main exhaust pipe 4 has an upwardly projecting part 6 connecting atits upper terminal with the lower terminal 7 of the exhaust manifold 1.Connecting with the main pipe 4 preferably at the point of connection ofthe latter with the upwardly projecting part 6 is a branch pipe 8 whichprojects downwardly over one side of the crank case to a point adjacentthe lower wall of the crank case, said branch pipe 8 being preferablyadjacent the outer surface of the crank case and at its lower end havingan oif-set part projecting through the side wall of the crank caseadjacent the bottom surface of the latter. This branch pipe 8constitutes the inlet pipe of the heating element to be presentlydescribed, and a similar branch pipe 9 constitutes an outlet pipe forsaid heating element, the outlet branch pipe 9 also preferably lyingadjacent the outer surface of the crank case at the end thereof oppositethe,

point of connection of the branch pipe 8 and having an offset part atits lower end prolet branch pipes 8 and 9, respectively.

T his heating element 11 may if desired have a series of bendsintermediate its length so as to increase its heating area, but asillustrated the pipe is continuous and is preferably curved so as tocorrespond generally with the curvature of the bottom of the crank case,with the result that greater heating efficiency is obtained than wouldbe the case if said pipe 11 projected through the crank case in astraight line.

It is desirable to make possible the disconnection of the heating meansfor the crank case at times, for instance after the engine has run for asufficient period to impart to the oil the proper degree of heat forhighest efficiency, and to this end a valve,preferably a rotary valve12-is provided at the point of connection between the main exhaust pipe1 and the heater branch pipe 8, the said valve in one of its positionsbeing adapted to establish communication between the exhaust manifoldand the branch pipe 8, at which time the connection between the exhaustmanifold and the main exhaust pipe, 4 will be shut OH; and in anotherposition the said valve 12 being adapted to establish directcommunication between the exhaust manifold 1 and the main exhaust pipe4:, at which latter time the branch pipe 8 will be shut off fromcommunication With the exhaust manifold 1. Suitable means for operatingthe valve 12 is provided, this means preferably taking the form of anactuating rod 13 connecting with the rock arm 14 which latter in turnconnects with a projecting terminal 15 onthe valve 12. This actuatingrod 13 preferably projects through the dash-board of the vehicle andpreferably terminates in a handle part 15 for manual manipulation, asde-' sired, by the operator while the vehicle is in motion. 7

It may be desirable to also provide means for closing the outlet branch9 0f the crank case heating element, and to this end a manually operablerotatable valve 16 may be provided, the same being controlled in anysuitable manner as by the projecting wing nut 17, the said valve 16having a suitable bypass adapted to establish or shutoff communicationthrough the pipe 9, as stated, or

main exhaust pipe 4 being at this time shutv off, and as said gases passthrough the inlet branch pipe 8, the latter being closeto the crank casewill tend to supply a preliminary heating medium to the wall of thelatter. The exhaust gases as they leave the heating element 11 passupwardly through the outlet branch 9 which also being close to the sidewall of the casing further imparts heat to the wall of the casing 2, thegases passing from the outlet branch 9 to the main exhaust pipe 4through which they pass into the heating element 5 for imparting heat tothe vehicle in any approved manner. Now, assuming that the oil has beenheated to the proper temperature by the mechanism just described, and itis desired to render this heating mechanism inoperative for the timebeing, the operator actuates the valve 12 through the medium of the rod13 and operating means 15, whereby to establish direct communicationbetween the exhaust manifold 1 and the main exhaust pipe 4, whichsimultaneously shuts off communication through the inlet branch pipe 8,with the result that the exhaust gases pass directly to the car heatingelement 15. At this time, if desired, the valve 16 may also be closed.

While I have described the mechanism as being applied preferably to amotor vehicle, it is understood that the heating mechanism may equallybe of advantage in connection with stationary engines.

What I claim as new, is :7 if 7 1. An attachment for motor vehicleengines having an exhaust manifold, a crank case, and a'heating elementfor the vehicle, said attachment comprising a heating member arrangedwithin the crank case, pipe connection between one end of the heatingmemher and the exhaust manifold and between the tion between saidheating member and the heating element.

2. In a heating attachment for motor vehicles and the like having anexhaust manifold and a crank case, the combination of a main exhaustpipe communicating with the exhaust manifold, a heating conduit arrangedwith the crank case, inlet and exhaust branch pipes leading from saidconduit and connecting with the main exhaust pipe, and a valve adaptedto alternately establish communication between the exhaust manifold andthe conduit'a'nd between the exhaust manifold and main exhaust pipe.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of anexhaust manifold, a car heating element, a crank case, a heating conduitpositioned within the crank case, a main exhaust pipe establishingcommunication between the exhaust manifold and said car heating element,branch pipes lead ing from said main exhaust pipe at a point between theheating element and exhaust manifold and connecting with opposite endsof said heating conduit, and means for shutting off communicationbetween the exhaust manifold and said heating conduit.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature. at GORNIE N.HAZE.

